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National Lab reports small contamination

At least 12 at LANL exposed to technetium 99

Los Alamos National Laboratory is investigating the inadvertent spread of Technetium 99 by employees and contractors at the Lujan Neutron Scattering Center at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center

National Lab reports small contamination

At least 12 at LANL exposed to technetium 99

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Updated: 11:23 PM MDT Aug 27, 2012

LOS ALAMOS, N.M. —

Officials with the Los Alamos National Lab said there is no threat to the public after word surfaced that about a dozen employees were exposed to radiation, but members of a local watchdog group said they're not so sure.

Of the 11,000-plus people that make LANL their workspace, at least a dozen were recently exposed to a substance called technetium 99.

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"It's a product with a long half-life, emits radiation and is dangerous if ingested or breathed in," said Greg Mello, of the Los Alamos Study Group.

Members of the Los Alamos Study Group, a watchdog for the facility, said they're trying to find out more details about the exposure.

Action 7 News started asking questions after getting a reliable tip. LASG members said all of it raises some questions and is concerning.

"We never know what is going on," Mello said. "If there is a problem, the bad news filters out very slowly."

LANL officials confirmed the exposure but wouldn't do an interview, instead referring Action 7 News to a statement that says Department of Energy teams have been assessing the situation and that "based on direct measurements, no exposures to lab workers or the public pose a health risk."

It's not yet known how the exposure occurred. It's only known that the employees impacted work at the lab's Lujan Neutron Scattering Center.

"The biggest concern is just how little we know about this," Mello said.

Once the investigation is complete, LANL officials said they may release more information.